Jack (Eidolon Black Ops #8) - Maddie Wade Page 0,55

in seconds, a surprised look on her face at seeing him. Bebe standing behind her like a watchdog soothed his soul a little at the knowledge she was protected by those around her when he wasn’t there.

“Jack, what are you doing here? I was just leaving for my meeting.”

“It seems I have an invite now, too.”

Astrid took his arm, the pinch between her eyebrows showing she was as curious as he was. She dressed in a pale pink fitted dress with a bow at the waist and some sort of cape over her shoulders. She looked stunning with her hair down and around her shoulders, just the one side pinned back. He was wearing his usual for the tour, which was a suit and shirt with a tie. He had to look the part at all times, but he hated it and couldn’t wait to get back into combats and t-shirts, and he knew his men felt the same.

“I wonder what this is about.” She glanced past him at Fitz, who shook his head.

“Let’s find out.”

They stopped outside the Royal Suite where Reid and Mitch were standing guard, both alert and showing no emotion at seeing them there.

He nodded at his men and waited while Fitz went ahead before ushering them into the Queen’s inner sanctum.

She stood and greeted them, Astrid dipping into a curtsey and he a bow before the Queen sat at a table set with finger sandwiches and tiny delicate pastries that Alex would love.

“Please do sit.”

Jack held Astrid’s chair out for her, and she sat before him as he settled next to her. Fitz poured tea for them all and stepped away to give them privacy. Jack understood he stayed in the room at the Queen’s request. The Prince Consort wasn’t in attendance, and he wondered where he might be until he stepped from the other room that also served as a study inside the suite.

The Queen looked at Astrid. “I’m sure you are curious as to why I asked you here.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“The truth is I’ve grown fond of you over the weeks, Astrid, and greatly admire you as a fellow woman in a man’s world. However, I fear you’re hiding something from me, and I would like to know what it is that troubles you.”

Astrid looked over at him in panic, and he reached for her hand.

The Queen zeroed in on it immediately and nodded. “I can see I was correct in that at least. You’re lovers. Am I correct?”

“We’re more than that, ma’am.” He wanted to tell the Monarch he loved Astrid, that she was everything to him, but she deserved to hear it first. So, he gave the Queen what Astrid already knew. “I would die for her.”

“I see,” she turned to Astrid, “and you feel the same way?”

Astrid squeezed his hand. “I do.”

“Good, this makes me happy.”

“It does?” Jack was lost. He’d thought he was about to get fired because he’d basically admitted to fraternising on the job, and he knew it could compromise the Queen.

“Don’t look so surprised. I like romance as much as the next woman and seeing two people I hold in high regard together makes me happy.”

“Thank you.”

“I see you’re confused. I want to know why Astrid was so upset earlier.”

Astrid again looked at him for answers, so he nodded for her to go ahead with whatever she wanted, and he’d support her. At least he was trying to convey all those things.

Astrid took a deep breath. “I saw my sister.”

“Go on.” Queen Lydia pushed the food forward, and Jack took a sandwich and plated one for Astrid.

“I thought my sister was dead. I was told she’d been killed four years ago but I suspected she was alive. She was at the school today.”

“Oh my. Did she try and approach you?”

“No and she disappeared before I could speak to her.”

“Why did you stay at your post instead of chasing her down? I know I would have been tempted to do so had it been me in that position.”

“I won’t lie. For a split second I considered it, but I was working. To have moved would have compromised your safety, so I stayed put.”

Jack was so proud of her and wished he had her strength. He saw the Queen nod at her husband, who was quiet as always.

“And you, Jack? Did you notice this?”

“I did, ma’am, although I wasn’t entirely sure who I saw. Just that it had upset Astrid.”

“Did you wish to pursue her?”

“Yes, but as Astrid said,